Why does NFP require a 'reason'?

[DavidSears]

Let’s see if I can help.No sin at all within marriage?? First know that nowhere does the catechism say that every time a married couple has relations they have to be trying to have a child. I am not sure where you got that?As do I, but my flag is at your understanding of this topic.Any other rules you don’t like? It isn’t Catholic extremists. You just need to do some research. Actually, there is a lot misunderstanding and opinion in your post. You might want to do some reading on this topic.
Again, you need to learn what the Church teaches, rather than what you think it teaches.

Some conservative catholics take teachings to extremes is what I mean. People that say “only catholics go to heaven.” (Mind you that’s just an example). A lot of catholics believe that sex should only be used for procreation. I was actually surprised when I saw how many people believe that when I read other threads. I wish i knew how to post links to other threads Now I agree with the catholics that say "sex should be used only for love, never lust. But anyways you’re right, I should just read more into it instead of listening to mindless chatter from others.
Pax Christi

 

[Pug]

David,

Welcome to the forums here. Just one point…an elderly couple can have sex. The Church says they can.

And I do think you can see that there can be sin in marriage, though you said otherwise. If a man were to refuse to have relations with his wife for a very long time for no good reason, this would be sinful. You yourself mentioned St. Paul and not depriving. It does matter what happens between a husband and his wife. That is why the Church cares about contraception, because it does matter, and is related to how things ought to be between a man and a woman.

Since you mentioned that Jesus did not pen the Catechism, perhaps you might want to look into how the Holy Spirit guides the Church so we are not taught error. Here is a tiny place to start in the Catechism, from the place about apostolic succession:
79 The Father’s self-communication made through his Word in the Holy Spirit, remains present and active in the Church: “God, who spoke in the past, continues to converse with the Spouse of his beloved Son. And the Holy Spirit, through whom the living voice of the Gospel rings out in the Church - and through her in the world - leads believers to the full truth, and makes the Word of Christ dwell in them in all its richness.”

Peace to you!

 

[DavidSears]

David,

Welcome to the forums here. Just one point…an elderly couple can have sex. The Church says they can.

And I do think you can see that there can be sin in marriage, though you said otherwise. If a man were to refuse to have relations with his wife for a very long time for no good reason, this would be sinful. You yourself mentioned St. Paul and not depriving. It does matter what happens between a husband and his wife. That is why the Church cares about contraception, because it does matter, and is related to how things ought to be between a man and a woman.

Since you mentioned that Jesus did not pen the Catechism, perhaps you might want to look into how the Holy Spirit guides the Church so we are not taught error. Here is a tiny place to start in the Catechism, from the place about apostolic succession:
79 The Father’s self-communication made through his Word in the Holy Spirit, remains present and active in the Church: “God, who spoke in the past, continues to converse with the Spouse of his beloved Son. And the Holy Spirit, through whom the living voice of the Gospel rings out in the Church - and through her in the world - leads believers to the full truth, and makes the Word of Christ dwell in them in all its richness.”

Peace to you!

Thank you for your clarification. Like I said, I suffer from bad Scrupulosity and certain things make me really upset when I think or dwell on them (infant baptism, I was born out of wedlock, masturbation, blaspheming the Holy Ghost). And Augustine said that it was a venial sin for married couples to have sex with procreation as its main goal (which I’d like to think that me having sex with my future wife is NEVER sinful). I don’t know. But I never thought about that, about the Holy Ghost guiding the church on earth. Thank you for reminding me!
Pax Christi

 

[Pug]

Thank you for your clarification. Like I said, I suffer from bad Scrupulosity and certain things make me really upset when I think or dwell on them (infant baptism, I was born out of wedlock, masturbation, blaspheming the Holy Ghost). And Augustine said that it was a venial sin for married couples to have sex with procreation as its main goal (which I’d like to think that me having sex with my future wife is NEVER sinful). I don’t know. But I never thought about that, about the Holy Ghost guiding the church on earth. Thank you for reminding me!
Pax Christi

Scrupulosity is a great burden to have, I am sorry. Perhaps for you it will get better with time, I hope! About St. Augustine, he did not hold it was a venial sin to have relations in marriage to have children, I believe. He was concerned about those in marriage who have relations in order to quell lust. He did not talk much, not that I’ve read, about the more modern way of talking, that of the unity of the couple, like you can see in the writings of Pope John Paul II, though I’ve seen one quote where St. Augustine talks about the companionship or charity between those who are an old couple.

The thing to read on this subject is a series of speeches given by Pope John Paul II as part of his “Wednesday audiences”. It is lengthy and tough reading and is focused on the meaning of marriage. He develops it slowly, over at maybe 2 years of speeches, if I recall. I have a book that has them all in it. If you are a determined sort, you can read them on EWTN. Usually people on this forum recommend that you don’t read the pope but instead read someone who comments on the pope, but I think the pope himself is the way better and more incisive and fulfilling read.

 

[ahs]

Scrupulosity is a great burden to have, I am sorry. Perhaps for you it will get better with time, I hope! About St. Augustine, he did not hold it was a venial sin to have relations in marriage to have children, I believe. He was concerned about those in marriage who have relations in order to quell lust. He did not talk much, not that I’ve read, about the more modern way of talking, that of the unity of the couple, like you can see in the writings of Pope John Paul II, though I’ve seen one quote where St. Augustine talks about the companionship or charity between those who are an old couple.

The thing to read on this subject is a series of speeches given by Pope John Paul II as part of his “Wednesday audiences”. It is lengthy and tough reading and is focused on the meaning of marriage. He develops it slowly, over at maybe 2 years of speeches, if I recall. I have a book that has them all in it. If you are a determined sort, you can read them on EWTN. Usually people on this forum recommend that you don’t read the pope but instead read someone who comments on the pope, but I think the pope himself is the way better and more incisive and fulfilling read.

@ DavidSears: The Wednesday audiences referenced are contained in a newly translated book titled “Male and Female He Created Them: A Theology of the Body”. The most recent has the original numbering/ordering that the Pope himseldf placed and even the same emphases (bolds, italics) used by the Pope in his originals. You can find some online resources, as mentioned…and I will agree 100% “It is lengthy and tough reading…”. Take it slow.